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What Causes Hives After Vitex Agnus Castus Consumption?
Question: I had a very strong allergic reaction this week (I ended up in the A&E) to Vitex Agnus Castus (a herbal medicine), a plant from the Lamiaceae family. To this plant family also belong mint, XXXXXXX sage, oregano, lavender etc. I was never allergic before to anything. Should I now be afraid to eat XXXXXXX etc, because they belong to this same plant family? Apparently cross-reactivity occurs between members of this plant family. Is it likely I will be allergic to these herbs now, even though I was never before?
Brief Answer:
Please provide more details
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I went through your history and would like to know more about you as follows:
1. Can you please describe your reaction? Did it develop after how much time after consumption? What were the symptoms? What was the treatment given? How did it subside?
2. Did you take the herb for the first time or you had taken it previously as well? Did you have any mild reactions previously? What was the formulation of the herb - raw product, commercial product, etc? (sometimes it is possible that one might react to additives/preservatives in the formulation rather than the main product)
3. Since how long are you consuming XXXXXXX mint, oregano, etc?
4. What were the investigations done? Can you please attach the reports?
5. Do you have any known allergies? Have you ever been tested for allergies any time?
6. Do you have any other allergic disorder? - nose allergies (sneezing, running nose, nose obstruction, etc), asthma/wheezing/long standing or repeated cough, food allergies, skin allergies, etc? Have you ever had urticaria or angioedema or anaphylaxis previously due to any other reason?
7. Do you have any other medical disorder? Are you taking any other drugs regularly/frequently?
Above details would like to know more more about you and therefore to make more specific suggestions for you.
Wish you the best of the health ahead.
Thank you very much & warm regards,
Dr Parin N Parmar
Please provide more details
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I went through your history and would like to know more about you as follows:
1. Can you please describe your reaction? Did it develop after how much time after consumption? What were the symptoms? What was the treatment given? How did it subside?
2. Did you take the herb for the first time or you had taken it previously as well? Did you have any mild reactions previously? What was the formulation of the herb - raw product, commercial product, etc? (sometimes it is possible that one might react to additives/preservatives in the formulation rather than the main product)
3. Since how long are you consuming XXXXXXX mint, oregano, etc?
4. What were the investigations done? Can you please attach the reports?
5. Do you have any known allergies? Have you ever been tested for allergies any time?
6. Do you have any other allergic disorder? - nose allergies (sneezing, running nose, nose obstruction, etc), asthma/wheezing/long standing or repeated cough, food allergies, skin allergies, etc? Have you ever had urticaria or angioedema or anaphylaxis previously due to any other reason?
7. Do you have any other medical disorder? Are you taking any other drugs regularly/frequently?
Above details would like to know more more about you and therefore to make more specific suggestions for you.
Wish you the best of the health ahead.
Thank you very much & warm regards,
Dr Parin N Parmar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Dear Dr Parmar, thank you so much for your reply and your interest to follow up in more detail. The answers to your questions are as follows:
Hives started 5 minutes after consumption, and worsened over the next 2 days. I used loratidine 10 mg once daily but it didn't seem to help. In the evening of the third day all of a sudden the hives became more intense and covered my entire body and then my neck and chest flushed bright red, I got a very rapid heartbeat and felt faint (could not stand up). I took a second loratidine and when I felt a bit better in about half a hour went to the A&E. There the symptoms gradually faded and were entirely gone the next day. I followed up with 5 days of chlorphenamine 4 mg 3 dd. I was quite scared and I still am not sure if this was anaphylaxis or maybe a panic attack (but I never had panic attacks before).
I took the herb before (few years ago) and did not have any reaction. But the formulation I bought this time was many (40 times) more concentrated. This dose is much higher than is generally recommended. I only realized this afterwards. It was a concentrated alcoholic tincture of the plant with no additives.
I have been consuming XXXXXXX mint, oregano, etc for my whole life without any problems.
There were no investigations done except once I arrived at the A&E: blood pressure (normal), blood sugar (normal) and heart beat (120). A&E thought it could have been a mild anaphylaxis seeing the intensity of the hives and flushing but were not sure.
I never had any allergies before, nor nose allergies, nor anaphylaxis, urticaria, wheezing etc. and am in very good health otherwise. I am not taking any medicines.
Thank you very much in advance for your advice, this is very much appreciated!
XXXX
Hives started 5 minutes after consumption, and worsened over the next 2 days. I used loratidine 10 mg once daily but it didn't seem to help. In the evening of the third day all of a sudden the hives became more intense and covered my entire body and then my neck and chest flushed bright red, I got a very rapid heartbeat and felt faint (could not stand up). I took a second loratidine and when I felt a bit better in about half a hour went to the A&E. There the symptoms gradually faded and were entirely gone the next day. I followed up with 5 days of chlorphenamine 4 mg 3 dd. I was quite scared and I still am not sure if this was anaphylaxis or maybe a panic attack (but I never had panic attacks before).
I took the herb before (few years ago) and did not have any reaction. But the formulation I bought this time was many (40 times) more concentrated. This dose is much higher than is generally recommended. I only realized this afterwards. It was a concentrated alcoholic tincture of the plant with no additives.
I have been consuming XXXXXXX mint, oregano, etc for my whole life without any problems.
There were no investigations done except once I arrived at the A&E: blood pressure (normal), blood sugar (normal) and heart beat (120). A&E thought it could have been a mild anaphylaxis seeing the intensity of the hives and flushing but were not sure.
I never had any allergies before, nor nose allergies, nor anaphylaxis, urticaria, wheezing etc. and am in very good health otherwise. I am not taking any medicines.
Thank you very much in advance for your advice, this is very much appreciated!
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please avoid Vitex Agnus, you may not have additional risk from others...
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
Thank you for the details.
I would like to make suggestions for you as follows:
1. I would agree that you had a severe allergic reaction to that particular herb.
2. But as you are taking XXXXXXX mint, etc for long without problem, I would not think you would be at risk of allergic reaction with them too.
As the allergens (proteins) within them could differ.
3. You can always consult an allergist and can ask for skin prick testing for specific herb, if you want to be sure. But generally speaking, I would not think you as a high risk for such reactions.
4. Of course, I would suggest you to avoid Vitex Agnus Castus in future.
Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.
Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask on follow-up.
Wish you the best of the health ahead.
Thank you & Regards,
Dr Parin N Parmar
Please avoid Vitex Agnus, you may not have additional risk from others...
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
Thank you for the details.
I would like to make suggestions for you as follows:
1. I would agree that you had a severe allergic reaction to that particular herb.
2. But as you are taking XXXXXXX mint, etc for long without problem, I would not think you would be at risk of allergic reaction with them too.
As the allergens (proteins) within them could differ.
3. You can always consult an allergist and can ask for skin prick testing for specific herb, if you want to be sure. But generally speaking, I would not think you as a high risk for such reactions.
4. Of course, I would suggest you to avoid Vitex Agnus Castus in future.
Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.
Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask on follow-up.
Wish you the best of the health ahead.
Thank you & Regards,
Dr Parin N Parmar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you so very much. I felt very reassured and tried out eating mint, XXXXXXX etc tonight and did not experience the slightest problem. Thank you again for your support and help!
Best regards, XXXX
Best regards, XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please close and rate my answer.
Detailed Answer:
I am glad that my knowledge had reassured you. Please close our discussion and rate my answer.
Please close and rate my answer.
Detailed Answer:
I am glad that my knowledge had reassured you. Please close our discussion and rate my answer.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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